SoCal Immigration Services | Immigration Document Preparation in Southern California

Quick Answer

Torrance, home to major medical centers including Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Providence Little Company of Mary, has a high demand for healthcare workers. For nurses and physical therapists from around the world, including those from Middle Eastern countries, the EB-2 Schedule A pathway offers a significantly faster route to permanent residence than traditional employment-based immigration.

Reviewed for accuracy by

Maria Santos

DOJ Accredited Representative • 15+ years experience

What is Schedule A Pre-Certification?

Schedule A is a special provision in U.S. immigration law that recognizes certain occupations have a long-standing labor shortage. For these occupations, the Department of Labor has pre-certified that there are not sufficient U.S. workers available.

Schedule A Group I Occupations:
• Registered Nurses (RNs)
• Physical Therapists (PTs)

Schedule A Group II Occupations:
• Aliens of exceptional ability in sciences or arts (including college professors)

The Key Benefit:
Schedule A workers skip the PERM labor certification process entirely, saving 12-18 months and significant costs compared to the standard EB-2 or EB-3 pathway.

Registered Nurses: Schedule A Requirements

For nurses in Torrance seeking Schedule A classification, you must demonstrate:

•Full and unrestricted California RN license, OR passing score on NCLEX-RN, OR education and licensure equivalent to U.S. RN standards
•Job offer from U.S. employer (hospital, nursing home, clinic, etc.)
•Position must require an RN (not LPN or CNA)
•Employer willing to sponsor green card process
•If educated abroad: credential evaluation showing nursing education equivalency
•English proficiency (typically demonstrated through nursing license)

Physical Therapists: Schedule A Requirements

Physical therapists in Torrance also qualify for Schedule A with these requirements:

•California PT license, OR FCCPT certification for foreign-educated PTs
•Graduation from an accredited physical therapy program
•Job offer from U.S. employer
•Position must be permanent and full-time
•If educated abroad: FCCPT evaluation confirming educational equivalency
•May need to complete any state-specific PT requirements

EB-2 vs. EB-3 for Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers can file under either EB-2 or EB-3 depending on qualifications:

Category	Requirements	Current Wait (2026)	Schedule A Eligible?
EB-2 Advanced Degree	Master's degree or Bachelor's + 5 years experience	1-2 years (most countries)	Yes
EB-3 Professional	Bachelor's degree required for position	2-3 years (most countries)	Yes
EB-3 Skilled Worker	2+ years training/experience	3-5 years (most countries)	Yes

The Schedule A Immigration Process

1
Credential Evaluation
Foreign-educated nurses get CGFNS evaluation; PTs get FCCPT certification
2
State Licensing
Obtain California RN or PT license (or eligibility documentation)
3
Job Offer
Secure permanent full-time position with Torrance-area healthcare employer
4
File I-140 with Schedule A
Employer files I-140 directly with USCIS (no PERM required)
5
Wait for Priority Date
Monitor visa bulletin for EB-2 or EB-3 current dates
6
Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing
File I-485 if in U.S., or process immigrant visa at consulate abroad

Benefits of Schedule A for Torrance Healthcare Workers

The Schedule A pathway offers significant advantages over traditional employment-based immigration:

•Skip PERM entirely: Save 12-18 months of labor certification processing
•No prevailing wage determination: Reduces employer hesitation
•No recruitment advertising: No need to test the labor market
•Lower legal costs: PERM is expensive; skipping it saves money
•Faster to green card: Can be 2+ years faster overall
•Job flexibility: Can change employers after I-140 approval with approved I-140 portability
•Spouse work authorization: Spouse gets EAD when I-485 is pending

Foreign-Educated Nurses: CGFNS Requirements

Nurses educated outside the U.S. must typically complete CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) evaluation:

VisaScreen Certificate:
Most nurses need a VisaScreen certificate, which requires:
• Credentials evaluation
• English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS)
• CGFNS Qualifying Exam or NCLEX-RN pass
• License verification

Processing Time:
CGFNS evaluation takes 4-6 months. We recommend starting this process early.

For Middle Eastern Nurses:
Nurses from countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and the UAE typically complete nursing programs that CGFNS recognizes. We help identify any gaps that need to be addressed.

Foreign-Educated Physical Therapists: FCCPT Process

Physical therapists educated abroad must complete FCCPT (Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy) evaluation:

FCCPT Certification:
• Education evaluation confirming equivalency to U.S. PT education
• Review of clinical education hours
• TOEFL iBT score (if applicable)
• Processing takes 4-8 months

California PT License:
After FCCPT certification, you can apply for California PT license through the PT Board of California. Some applicants may need additional coursework or supervised clinical hours.

For Middle Eastern PTs:
PT programs in countries like Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia generally meet FCCPT standards, though individual evaluation is required.

Why Choose SoCal Immigration Services for Healthcare Immigration?

Serving Torrance and the greater South Bay area, we specialize in healthcare worker immigration:

•Experience with Schedule A cases for nurses and physical therapists
•Understanding of CGFNS and FCCPT credential requirements
•Arabic and English-speaking staff familiar with Middle Eastern healthcare systems
•Coordination with healthcare employers throughout South Bay
•I-140 petition preparation and filing support
•I-485 adjustment of status document preparation
•Family member derivative processing (spouses and children)
•Free initial consultation to assess your qualifications

Employer Sponsorship: What Healthcare Facilities Need to Know

For Torrance hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics considering Schedule A sponsorship:

Employer Requirements:
• Offer a permanent, full-time position
• Pay the prevailing wage for the position
• File Form I-140 (can be done without PERM for Schedule A)
• Complete Schedule A documentation including attestation

Why Sponsor International Healthcare Workers?
• Fill critical staffing shortages
• Diverse workforce serving diverse patients
• Long-term retention (green card process creates loyalty)
• Schedule A makes sponsorship faster and simpler

We work with HR departments to make the sponsorship process smooth.

Common Questions About Schedule A Timeline

Here's what Torrance healthcare workers can expect:

Timeline Breakdown:
• Credential evaluation (CGFNS/FCCPT): 4-8 months
• California license application: 2-4 months
• I-140 filing and approval: 4-8 months (or 15 days with premium processing)
• Priority date wait: varies by category and country (currently 1-3 years for most)
• I-485 processing: 8-14 months

Total Estimated Time:
For most Schedule A applicants: 2-4 years from start to green card, compared to 4-6 years for standard PERM route.

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Q:I'm a nurse with a BSN from Jordan. Do I qualify for Schedule A?

A: Yes, likely. You'll need CGFNS evaluation to confirm your education meets U.S. standards, pass English proficiency requirements, and pass NCLEX-RN or obtain a California RN license. With a job offer, you can then file Schedule A.

Q:Can I work while my Schedule A green card is processing?

A: If you're in the U.S. with valid work authorization (like H-1B or OPT), you can continue working. Once you file I-485 and receive an EAD, you can work for any employer. If you're abroad, you'll need to wait for the immigrant visa.

Q:Does my employer have to pay for the immigration process?

A: Employers must pay certain costs (like USCIS filing fees for I-140 in some circumstances), but many costs can be shared. We can help structure the arrangement properly.

Q:What if I want to change hospitals during the green card process?

A: After your I-140 is approved for 180+ days and your I-485 has been pending 180+ days, you can change employers if the new job is in the same or similar occupation. This is called AC21 portability.

Q:My spouse is also a nurse. Can we both use Schedule A?

A: Yes, if both spouses qualify individually, each can have a separate Schedule A petition with their own employer. Alternatively, one can be the principal applicant and the other can be a derivative beneficiary.

Q:How does Schedule A compare to H-1B for nurses?

A: H-1B is a temporary work visa that typically requires a bachelor's degree in a specialty field. Nursing is often not considered a 'specialty occupation' for H-1B. Schedule A leads directly to a green card and is usually the better path for nurses.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about immigration services in Torrance and does not constitute legal advice. SoCal Immigration Services is a document preparation company, not a law firm. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult with a licensed immigration attorney.

Published: January 23, 2026Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Healthcare Worker Ready for Your Green Card?

Schedule your free consultation today. We help nurses and physical therapists in Torrance navigate the Schedule A pathway to permanent residence.

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